Group claims legal system is failing domestic violence victims

New research by a domestic abuse support group suggests the Irish legal system is failing women and children.

SAFE Ireland says that violence in the home is often regarded as a nuisance rather than a crime.

It also claims that judges and Gardaí fail to give cases enough time and attention.

Sharon O'Halloran, SAFE Ireland's CEO, says there are four basic changes that need to happen right away.

She said: "We need to establish a civil and criminal law definition of domestic violence, which includes coercive control.

"We need to introduce risk assessment systems so that violent behaviour can be recognised; we need to make the criminal justice system more accessible to women by protecting their identity.

"We could very easily remove the existing fee for legal aid for victims of domestic violence."